Networking and attending conferences are important for postgraduate students in the UK. It’s all about building relationships to develop professional and social contacts and exchange information. It enhances academic growth and explores career prospects. You need to build connections with people and genuinely build a network.
Seven simple tips
A little motivation and dedication
You can start building your circle of network during your everyday activities like conversing with your professors and even your classmates. Your professors may have taught quite a few bright students in the past. And odds are they may still be in touch with some of their former students. Sometimes, those former students will email their former professors with links to job openings. However, you talking to your professors keeps your name in the back of their minds when this question arises of needing to find a job. Build a relationship with your co-students now. One day, they might just work at your dream company.
Getting involved in University Conferences
- You’ll make friends
- Add another item to your resume
- And, of course, build your network.
There are a ton of ways to get involved on campus, like clubs, sororities, fraternities, sports, and so on. You will not only be able to connect with several other students, but you’ll also be able to connect with speakers, advisors, and mentors.
If your campus has a conference or a job fair, go. That’s the UK University’s way of literally handing the graduate or post-graduate students a plate full of contacts.
Taking a trip to your university
Take a trip to your campus career center, where you can find internships or jobs posted by alumni.
- Get tips on how to build your online presence
- Participate in mock job interviews, which are so helpful, by the way
- Learn about upcoming job fairs. Even if you aren’t actively looking for a job right now, it can’t hurt to stop by these job fairs, shake hands with company recruiters, give them your resume, have conversations, and learn what’s going on in their industry
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Developing your online presence apart from the UK university conference
If the idea of talking to strangers makes your hands a little sweaty, don’t worry; you can also network from behind your computer.
- Start by building your online presence through LinkedIn by posting on some modern studies
- Depending on your industry, you might also want to make a website or start an online portfolio. This is typically for people wanting to go into art, interior design, or whatever field that requires a lot of testimonials
- Your university might even have an alumni group on Facebook or on any other social media platform, and these can certainly be helpful. Typically, alumni will post job openings to help their juniors, and honestly, establishing a networking connection can happen.
Being open to new connections
When you’re waiting in line at the cafeteria and you overhear a professor talking about something that you are familiar with, then there’s your chance to politely chime in. Or if you’re in line at the UK University coffee shop and you hear a fellow student chatting about a guest lecturer, there are always opportunities to network. You just have to be willing to put yourself out there and start conversing. You never know what could happen. And the worst that could happen is that they never talk to you again. But the best thing that could happen is that you get a great job opportunity just for striking up a conversation.
Don’t be afraid to make the first move
Confidence can go a long way, so don’t treat networking like a game of who can make the most connections. Or how many resumes you can pass around. Instead, genuinely take an interest in who you’re talking to, who they are, and what they do, and try to remember important information about them. Ask some thoughtful questions like how did you get the position you currently have, or talk about your or their recent thesis to gain knowledge
Maintaining your network
Networking is more than collecting business cards, passing out resumes, and sending requests on LinkedIn. It’s hard work, and you’ll want to invest some time in maintaining your network. Shoot them emails afterward, saying it was a pleasure meeting them, even if they don’t have your ideal position available right now, and that you appreciate the time they took to talk to you. You add in something personal you learn from them while the two of you are conversing. This will not only show that you paid attention but that you also learned something valuable from them.
Conclusion
When it comes to networking or conferencing at a UK University, remember to always be yourself and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation at any moment. You never know what one conversation can lead to. Be authentic, be humble, and things will surely work out for you.
Digi Assignment always comes up with amazing tips to keep you up to date while networking or attending conferences to strike a positive chord with your connections, which leads to your academic and career growth.
